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A very attractive glossy, The British Library Past Present Future (ISBN 0‐7123‐0196‐8), its publication made possible due to the generous sponsorship of the Chadwick‐Healey Publishing Group, describes in text illustrated with many brilliantly‐taken colour photographs the history, present achievements and services of a great British institution. At its subsidised price of £5.95 for 64 pages it is excellent value for money and does justice to the rich and diverse collections of the British Library and emphasises its importance as our heritage.

Reflects on the initiatives being taken by OCLC to educate librarians about preservation of library collections. Describes the techniques whereby libraries can create bibliographic records containing preservation data. Reviews the research being carried out in the field by OCLC. Examines the issues of co‐operation and training.

Reports on a Library and Information Commission‐funded research project, Developing a National Strategy for Preservation Surrogates, commissioned by the National Preservation Office based at the British Library, and carried out at the Centre for Information Research, University of Central England in Birmingham. The project aimed to develop a national strategy for preservation surrogates in the UK. Presents findings regarding collections suitable for preservation surrogacy and discusses the significance of the definition of “collection”. Examines the project alongside other relevant research and discusses it in the context of these other collection‐based initiatives; in particular, digitisation and access improvement. An outline of the “Draft Preservation Surrogacy Selection Criteria Checklist” developed in the project is provided, and the difficulties associated with recommending preservation surrogacy options for types of collections are considered. Presents recommendations for moving forward the development of a national preservation surrogacy strategy in line with other collection‐based initiatives.

Discusses the results of a questionnaire survey into preservation policies and practice in British libraries, focusing on responsibility for preservation, preservation policies, disaster control planning, staff training and user education, co‐operative initiatives, factors inhibiting preservation activity and spending on preservation. Findings indicate that preservation is considered most applicable to special collections and to rare or valuable items, and that funding is a major problem even in libraries with a strong commitment to preservation. Increased activity in areas such as disaster control planning indicate a greater awareness of preservation issues than in the past. Highlights the advantages of written preservation policies and the success of co‐operative initiatives such as Newsplan, suggesting that a national preservation policy would enable libraries to take a more rational approach to problems such as what to preserve and funding allocation, while helping to clarify their national heritage responsibilities.

UMI is a gateway for the flow of information from the fields of business, education, engineering, social science, and the popular media. The company's staff collects, creates, and preserves information. Then they make it available in print and microform as well as online, on CD‐ROM, and on magnetic tape. They also develop integrated information delivery systems—diverse technologies working together to help libraries increase responsiveness, control costs, and deliver the type of information they and their patrons need—when they need it.

The growing interest in sharing information about the preservation of library and archival material has resulted in the production of numerous audiovisual programs on the subject over the past 15 years. Each year more items appear.

Discusses the dedication of the new MAPS micrographics laboratory in Pennsylvania. Considers the facilities of the new building, similarities between OCLC and MAPS, the history of MAPS, and the future of micrographics preservation. Concludes that microform is not obsolescent, and that preservation is no longer a challenge or a one‐dimensional solution.